Joshua Redman Concert Review - Portland Jazz Festival
Tuesday, 26 February 2008
The Joshua Redman Trio performing
Where: Crystal Ballroom, Portland Oregon
The Theme (upon reflection by this reviewer) : “Space and exploration, with overtones of understatement”
(Instead of writing a prosaic, structured review of the evening I have decided to give you my notes, as a tribute to Joshua’s fluent, poetic, post-bop compositional and saxophone styles. Enjoy — Jay)
Brian Blade on drums, delivering the undertones, giving us the emptiness that we so crave, that is often missing in contemporary groups… Flexibility, willing to play off of everyone else, supporting a theme, giving voice to chaos… a brilliant performance. Total of 2 solos? Something of a classicist.
The Surrey with the Fringe on Top — introduction to the show, fitting, pointedly(?) abstract. Where is the theme, where is the music, where are we? Unapologetic and decidedly avant-garde, refreshing beginning.
Zarafah (egyptian sounding, modal?) — elaboration of exotica, themes evolving, northern africa? Joshua’s own flirtations with the truly exotic, perhaps a longing for more than the New York jazz avant-garde, but a reluctance to live in ‘world’ Bohemia.
Angel Eyes - short but sweet, long, lingering melody lines that we craved, delivered without consequence of extended improvisation. A crowd pleaser, to be sure.
The Encore - Just Like You, bowed bass and dramatic counterpoint, the most classical part of the evening, and yet the most emotional and expressive. Symbols and dissonance (the edge of the emotion, stepping “out”)
Rueben Rogers - something of a crowd favorite by his sheer energy and dedication… playing so many notes, but working it all out, somehow ending up in the right place, a testament to the experiential. Melodic Accompaniment, playing a show of his own, Joshua giving him space to do so.
Soul Dance — testament to his early compositional skills and exploring nature, solid theme, full of unexpected twists and turns. Just when you believe you know Joshua, he changes the key, rhythm, or structure somehow, and you are left wondering “what next?” The answer is not always satisfying, for the moment, but often a question — what is next?
Links:
Joshua Redman
Portland Jazz Festival
